Holiday happenings

There are many ways to enjoy the holiday season in Laguna:

Santa’s House

Santa will be visiting with children and taking pictures daily through Dec. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. in Santa’s House on Forest Ave. No charge to visit Santa, $5 for pictures. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Information: (949) 494.1018

Library family night

Laguna Beach Library invites the community to enjoy a fun-filled evening on Tuesday. Beginning at 4 p.m., Suni Paz, guitarist and folk musician, will share multicultural music.

Following the performance, fully stocked craft tables will be ready for action. Participants can lace a gingerbread basket, make a reindeer headdress or choose among more crafts than you can shake a candy cane at.

Check out our reindeer and red cardinal murals and a delightful display of children’s art palettes while enjoying refreshments.

Santa caps the evening with a visit at 7 p.m. Friends of the Laguna Beach Library funds this event. Information: (949) 497-1733.

Gift that gives twice

Susie Campbell is offering a three-hour afternoon or sunset sail aboard a 34-foot sailboat to those who give a suggested $200 donation to the Laguna Beach Resource Center’s Landslide Fund. The boat sets sail from Dana Point Harbor. Information: (949) 874-4819 or [email protected].

Making holiday treats

Laguna Culinary Arts teaches a variety of classes to help make the holidays festive and tasty:

* Holiday cookies: Learn the art of holiday cookie-making from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. On the menu: butter cookies, cut into holiday shapes, with royal icing; raspberry bars; pecan bars; sandwich cookies filled with jam and/or dipped in chocolate. Cost: $95 per person, $170 for two.

* Cornish hens: In the last in a series on “show-stopping meals” for the season, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday attendees can learn how to prepare roast Cornish hens with date and orange compote; new potatoes stuffed with goat cheese and hazelnuts; grilled Portobello and bosc pear salad; jasmine rice pilaf; and pumpkin bread pudding with caramel rum raisin sauce. Cost: $95 per person.

* New Year’s Eve appetizers: At 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, brighten up the coming New Year celebrations with recipes for chicken skewers with avocado dip; goat cheese with warm apricot cherry and green chili chutney; dill shortbreads with smoked salmon; pork tenderloin on cornmeal-cheddar mini biscuits; prosciutto rolls with spiced fig preserves; and pistachio fig biscotti. Cost: $95 per person.

Information: (949) 494-0745.

Holiday Wine and Cheese Tasting takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22 at Laguna Culinary Arts. Two wines and three cheeses, including bread, crostini and assorted olives, all for $15. Reservations for preferred seating. 845 Laguna Canyon Road. Information: (949) 494-4006 or www.LagunaCulinaryArts.com.

THEATER

“Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold,” shows daily the week of Dec. 19 through Dec. 23 at Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road. Information: (800) 946-5556 or www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

“Many Happy Returns,” a comedy/farce, will show at 8 p.m. daily except Mondays through Dec. 18. Also 2 p.m. matinees Saturdays, Sundays at Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd. Tickets: (949) 497-2787, ext. 1; (800) 946-5556; or www.LagunaPlayhouse.com.

NATURE

Crystal Cove State Park is holding a tide-pool walk on Saturday, Dec. 31, 3 p.m., when the low tide will reach -1.6 feet. Meet at Pelican Point parking lot No. 2, at the top of the boardwalk (from Coast Highway, turn coastward at Newport Coast stoplight, right at the kiosk and left into the first lot). Information: (949) 497-7647.

RELIGIOUS EVENTS

Laguna Presbyterian Church is holding Christmas Eve services Saturday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m., with a families’ candlelight service, children’s choir and junior bells; 6 p.m. traditional candlelight service with senior bells; 10 p.m. candlelight service, at 415 Forest Ave. Information: (949) 494-7555.

St. Paul’s Lutheran holds a Christmas Eve service at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24 at 1190 Morningside Drive; Christmas Day service will be at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25.

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship holds a traditional Christmas Eve service, “Carols, Candles and Community,” with everyone invited, at 5:30 on Saturday, Dec. 24. On Christmas Day, Sunday, Dec. 25, the church will hold a potluck brunch; to participate, you must call the church by Dec. 19 at (949) 497-4568. The church is located at 429 Cypress Drive.

United Methodist Church is holding a Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. with children invited to participate in a Nativity Scene; at 7:30 p.m., the Chancel Choir will perform with flute, oboe, drums, violin, hand bells, piano and organ, and candle lighting; and, at 11 p.m., a midnight service with special music, communion, and candle lighting, at 21632 Wesley Drive. Information: (949) 499-3088.

Chabad Jewish Center is planning a “Bash at the Beach” and menorah lighting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, at Main Beach. Live music, dancing, latkes, gelt, crafts, balloons and a dreidel house will entertain families. Information: 499-0770.